As the FIA World Rally Championship made its debut in Paraguay, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) delivered a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and speed, clinching a dramatic one-two finish. Sébastien Ogier triumphed on the red clay roads of South America, while Elfyn Evans completed the podium in second, showcasing Toyota’s depth and determination in an unpredictable rally.
The Rally del Paraguay posed a formidable challenge for all competitors. With fast gravel roads layered in red clay, drivers faced shifting grip levels, sharp rocks, and significant bumps that tested both vehicle and tyre durability. For Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais, the weekend began with adversity: a tyre issue on Friday’s second stage left them 36 seconds behind, ranking eighth overall.
From there, Ogier mounted a relentless charge, winning nine of the 19 stages and clawing his way back into contention. The decisive moment came when team-mate Kalle Rovanperä suffered a costly tyre deflation, handing Ogier the lead. Rain on Sunday further complicated matters, turning the final stages into a slippery gauntlet. Drawing on decades of experience, Ogier extended his advantage to nearly 40 seconds before the Power Stage’s downpour trimmed it, ultimately securing victory by 26.2 seconds.
This marks Ogier’s fourth win from seven starts this season, the 65th of his WRC career, and his first triumph on South American soil—a personal milestone and a testament to his adaptability. The victory also represents Toyota’s 102nd WRC win, tying the record with Citroën for the most manufacturer victories in championship history.
Evans and co-driver Scott Martin made a formidable return to the podium after a challenging series of gravel rallies. Despite a brief off-road moment in Sunday’s first stage, the duo recovered to finish second, navigating the rain-soaked Power Stage with precision. Evans’ consistent performance now increases his drivers’ championship lead to seven points over Rovanperä and nine over Ogier.
Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen recovered from a mid-rally setback to secure fifth overall, while TGR-WRT2 driver Sami Pajari delivered a strong sixth-place finish despite a wheel change setback on Friday. Takamoto Katsuta faced difficulties after damage on Friday but showed resilience with competitive points on Saturday’s stages.
In WRC2, Oliver Solberg dominated the field, overcoming a slow puncture in SS3 to win 12 consecutive stages and claim the category victory, now leading the WRC2 standings by 11 points heading into the final scoring round.
Team and Driver Reactions
Juha Kankkunen, TGR-WRT Deputy Team Principal, praised the team’s performance:
“We have to be very happy with this fantastic one-two result. It was such an up-and-down rally for everybody. Seb did an amazing job this weekend, and Elfyn did very well to come second. Our lead in the manufacturers’ championship is strong, but in rallying, things can change in an instant. We must stay focused until the end of the season.”
Elfyn Evans reflected on the challenge of Paraguay’s inaugural WRC event:
“This has been a tough rally – a lot more difficult than everybody anticipated – so it’s nice to have this result at the end. Despite a slip in the first stage and rain in the Power Stage, we managed to secure second place, which is very satisfying.”
Sébastien Ogier highlighted the significance of his victory:
“After the time we lost on Friday, we never gave up. On the final day, the rain made conditions tricky, but we managed to maintain enough of a lead to win. I’m very happy to finally win in South America, in front of such amazing fans.”
Kalle Rovanperä remained positive despite a challenging weekend:
“The conditions were tricky and changing for every driver. It’s disappointing what happened yesterday, but the championship is still close, and we’ll go again in Chile.”
Looking Ahead
With four rallies remaining, TGR-WRT leads the manufacturers’ championship by exactly 100 points, underscoring its dominance in 2025. The WRC now remains in South America for Rally Chile, set for September 11-14. Stages in the forests of the Bio Bío region will combine fast, technical gravel roads with abrasive surfaces, promising another true test of skill and endurance.
Provisional Rally del Paraguay Results – Top 5
- Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – 3h00m06.6s
- Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +26.2s
- Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) – +27.2s
- Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) – +30.6s
- Kalle Rovanperä / Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – +2m05.2s
Toyota’s commanding display in Paraguay confirms its WRC pedigree, blending experience, resilience, and precision to seize the moment on unfamiliar terrain.
